Imphal, December 27 2008: Vulnerability of important Government institutions/establishments from being targeted for subversive acts remains high inspite of the security measures being put in place.

close on the heels of Raj Bhavan coming under bomb attack and similar incidents on two earlier occasion at the Chief Minister's official bungalow both located in high security zonethe manipur Legislative Assembly complex has apparently come under the glare of suspected UGs as a hand grenade of Chinese-origin was recovered from one of the most vital set-ups of the Government.

The explosive device was reportedly detected at around 7.30 am on the eastern portion of the State Assembly complex by an assembly Secretariat staff, revealed an official on condition of anonymity while contending that soon after detection of the lever-less grenade, top police officials along with State bomb experts arrived at the scene and retrieved the same.

Beyond the eastern boundary wall of the State Assembly compound is the children's park (Indira park).

The assembly is being manned by a unit of the IRB following another bomb attack carried out by rebels on March 8 this year.

Opining that the hand-grenade seems to have developed rust, the Assembly Secretariat official also speculated that it might have been lobbed or placed from the direction of the park.

Confirming that the hand-grenade was indeed rusted and possibility of its explosion very unlikely, a police source also expressed that it might have been lobbed or placed at the spot a 'long time back'.

On the otherhand, Senior Superintendent of Police (Imphal West) L Kailun said, "We don't think that the expired grenade, with clear signs of rustiness was instantaneously hurled from any direction.

It might have been hurled or placed a long time back".

even then the police have begun investigation into the matter, he maintained which adding that security measures have been tightened with IRB personnel manning the important establishment.

Moreover, mobile teams have been alerted to maintain round the clock vigil, the SSP confided.

It is pertinent to mention here that on December 21 evening, underground activists hurled two hand-grenades at the Raj Bhavan (Governor's residence) with one exploding inside the sprawling complex.

There was, however no injury caused by the blast.

The nearby official bungalow of the Chief Minister had also come under attacks on two earlier occasions prompting State authorities to reassess security arrangements as pre-emptive measures.